Local

Critical fire weather conditions continue through Tuesday morning

Winds will remain gusty in many areas overnight, particularly in spots more susceptible to Cascade gap winds, like North Bend, Enumclaw and south King and north Pierce counties. Despite this wind event occurring at night, relative humidity levels will remain critical (under 20%) throughout the night. The strong winds, coupled with low relative humidity, mean any fires that start due to carelessness, accidents or power lines being impacted by strong gusts will have the potential to spread very, very quickly. This is a serious situation that will last into Tuesday morning before winds slowly subside through the day.

Smoke from central/eastern Washington wildfires has moved into the region, with most locations around Puget Sound (except the north) getting air quality readings of over 100 ppm of 2.5-micron pollutants (deep lung irritant.) This is unhealthy for all, but particularly for those with respiratory issues. Little improvement through Tuesday morning is expected. Though as winds let up a bit out of central Washington by Tuesday afternoon and the weather slightly warms up, atmospheric mixing will probably bring those high levels of pollution down a bit. Still, expect occasionally unhealthy air around the region through Thursday night — when fresh air off the Pacific reenters the area.

While winds calm down further late Tuesday and Wednesday, high pressure will mean hot days, with Wednesday and Thursday being record or near-record days for heat. Expect the day to be 88 in Seattle on Wednesday and 90 on Thursday.

Onshore flow picks up by Thursday night and Friday, bringing fresher air off the Pacific and cooler temperatures over the weekend, though it’ll still be running 5-8 degrees warmer than normal with weekend highs near the 80s.

Also, don’t expect any rain chances until at least the middle of next week.